守(まも)り

まもり
noun
defense, protection; charm, amulet
See also: 守(まも)る (verb form)
1. defense, protection, guard
The act of defending or protecting. Used in sports (defense/guarding), military contexts, and general situations where something is being safeguarded.
守(まも)りが固(かた)いチームだ。
It's a team with a strong defense.
攻(せ)めも大事(だいじ)だが、守(まも)りも大切(たいせつ)だ。
Offense is important, but defense is also crucial.
この城(しろ)は守(まも)りが堅固(けんご)で、何度(なんど)攻(せ)められても落(お)ちなかった。
This castle had such solid defenses that it never fell no matter how many times it was attacked.
2. protective charm, amulet, talisman
An object believed to protect the bearer from harm or misfortune. Short for お守り.
神社(じんじゃ)で守(まも)りを買(か)った。
I bought a protective charm at the shrine.
この守(まも)りは交通(こうつう)安全(あんぜん)のお守(まも)りです。
This charm is for traffic safety.
母(はは)が旅(たび)の安全(あんぜん)を祈(いの)って守(まも)りを持(も)たせてくれた。
My mother gave me a charm, praying for my safe travels.

Usage

Sense 1 (defense) is the noun form of the verb 守(まも)る (to protect). Common in sports commentary and strategy discussions. The phrase 守(まも)りが固(かた)い (strong defense, literally "the defense is hard") is very common.

Sense 2 (charm) is often used with the polite prefix お as お守(まも)り. These are small amulets sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, each offering protection for a specific purpose (health, academic success, traffic safety, etc.).

Common collocations

Related Words

Antonym: 攻(せ)め (offense, attack)
general
Added 2026.2.20 22:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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